How to Change the WordPress Author URL Slug

Introduction

WordPress uses the /author/ base in author archive URLs by default. While there is no built-in setting to modify this behavior, you can change the author URL slug by adding a small custom function to your active theme. This guide explains how to change the WordPress author URL slug safely using custom code.

Custom Workaround

Before proceeding, make sure you have a complete site backup.

1. Go to Appearance > Theme Editor in your WordPress dashboard.
   
2. Under Select theme to edit, choose your active theme (preferably a BuddyBoss Child Theme), then click Select.
   
3. From the Theme Files list, open Theme Functions (functions.php).
   
4. Add the following code just before the closing PHP tag (?>):
   

function custom_author_base() {
    global $wp_rewrite;
    $wp_rewrite->author_base = 'members';
}
add_action( 'init', 'custom_author_base' );

Note: You may replace members with any slug you prefer.

5. Click Update File to save the changes.
   

After adding this code, refresh your Permalinks by going to Settings > Permalinks and clicking Save Changes (no need to modify anything).

Example

Before adding the code:

https://example.dev/author/johndoe

After adding the code:

https://example.dev/members/johndoe

Note: Modifications are typically considered custom work, but we are making an exception in this case. Please review the BuddyBoss Support Policy.

Troubleshooting and FAQs

Q: Do I need to refresh permalinks after adding the code?
A: Yes. Saving permalinks ensures the new author base is properly registered.

Q: Will this affect existing links?
A: Yes. Any old /author/ URLs will change. You may want to add redirects if the site is already live.

Q: Can I use any custom slug?
A: Yes, as long as the slug does not conflict with an existing page or custom post type.

Q: Does this work with BuddyBoss profiles?
A: This change applies to WordPress author archives only. BuddyBoss profile URLs are handled separately by the platform.